High zinc oil for Ford F-150?, yes I paid attention for Porsche stuff, but... Options

[Krieger]

I don't know my V-8 stuff. 1998 4.6 liter. Do these Trucks need the high Zinc oil?

[Krieger]

Thanks George. I didnt know they switched. What year is your truck?

[ThePaintedMan]

Thanks George. I didnt know they switched. What year is your truck?

Its a 1996 Mustang actually. Same basic engine, but I think the trucks got a bigger main bearing saddle and different flowing heads (more torque). '96 was the first year the "modular motor", i.e. the 4.6, was put in the Mustang. They had already been using it in the Crown Vics and Lincolns for awhile, so they got most of the bugs worked out.

Again, 5W20 is what is supposed to be in there, and even though I have to add a quart about every 2 months, I'd rather do that than starve the bearings, lash adjusters, etc because I used something too thick. Motorcraft is a great oil, IMHO.

Have you had to change out the intake manifold yet? This is a very common problem on the 4.6 and 5.4s as the plastic cracks or is degraded around the coolant crossover tube at the front of the engine. Keep an eye out for it. Fairly easy fix, just takes about an afternoon worth of work and $200 for a new manifold. Other than that, basically bulletproof (even with tons of boost I'm told).